Video VS Still Photography

On a paranormal investigation, if you had to choose between a video camera or a still camera such as a digital camera, which would you choose? A video camera is actually your most important piece of equipment, and I am going to tell you why.

Sarah Chumacero

16th February 2019.

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General, Paranormal Investigation, Paranormal Equipment.

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When I first started investigating the paranormal, everywhere I went, I had my trusty digital camera with me. It had the filters removed so it was 'converted' to see IR light and I took photos that had a nice little pink tone to them. It allowed me to see in complete darkness without using a flash. I incorrectly was under the impression that because it was a specially converted camera that the orbs I was picking up were not bugs or dust and had to be the real thing. I caught many photos which I thought were amazing captures of the paranormal. Again due to my lack of education, I thought that because I was using a converted camera, that it was immune to some of the normal problems a camera can cause. It is something that I soon learnt with experience. I too used to call it a 'full spectrum camera' even though I now know that it isn't the case. I have done a lot of stupid things and made a lot of questionable claims in my early days with my little camera. I own up to them and I admit them because while I had enthusiasm, I lacked education. What I did do however was start to educate myself and also spoke to fellow investigators and would show them my photos. They would explain to me why what I captured was likely not to be paranormal, I took this information on board and started learning as much as I possibly could. I was able to adjust how I did things during an investigation to avoid it happening again.

What I soon learnt was that a converted still camera still had all the same flaws as a regular camera. It simply had a filter in front of the lens removed. It means light can still bounce off the lens and create lens flare. Even though I wasn't using a flash, I was using an IR light and this was still able to bounce off moisture and dust and cause an orb effect. Even though I was using an IR light, the shutter would take too long to open and close and cause motion blur. I actually went on to study an accredited photography course. It is not something that makes me a professional photographer and I will never claim to be one, but what the course does teach you is essentially how not to use a camera. It teaches you about things like lens flare, how to avoid it and most importantly how it happens. It teaches you what happens to light when it travels through the lens and bounces off the mirror. It proved to be such an invaluable tool when it came to using a camera during a paranormal investigation. So much so that 5 years later, I went from the person who was taking over a 1000 photos per investigation, to someone that very rarely now uses a still camera. When I do use a still camera, it is only to take a picture of the setup of the room. From a paranormal perspective, I am not even sure if I would ever believe a photo I saw displayed something paranormal. There are too many questions. It turns out that a photo is so much more unreliable than video. You are seeing only a snapshot in time with no context. It can be interpreted in several ways. Usually, if you had video of the exact same shot at the exact time it was taken, you would see things completely differently, because now you have that context. While yes most investigators aim to take 3 shots in a row, it is still not a real time playback of what was really happening. So my visual focus during an investigation now lies with video.

It is not because I think a video camera is more likely to pick up something paranormal. Again a video camera is also not immune to error and can pick up natural phenomena. It is more that a video gives you a real time playback of everything that was happening and what everyone was doing at the time. It becomes quite a powerful tool. If you are filming an EVP session for example, while we do out best to tag noises we hear, there are some we might miss. When we hear these on playback we may think them to be paranormal. The video may actually show someone moving or coughing and shows us what was really happening at the time. When you are maneuvering around in the dark, it is easy to knock things over without realizing it. A video playback of this kind of incident will reveal if someone did knock an object or if it fell by itself. How often are you on an investigation when you don't remember seeing something on the floor and suddenly there it is? Was something thrown at me do you ask? If you have filmed a video walkthrough prior to the investigation, you will be able to spot, was this on the floor before the investigation and you simply failed to notice it? It gives you context.

Another benefit is that in theory, a video camera would also be capable of catching an EVP. In fact I have witnessed many recordings of video footage that have potential EVPS on them. Not to mention the fact that you have a real time play back of what is happening. You know how we tell people that something has happened but they won't believe it because they weren't actually there to see it? What if you had the whole incident on video? Would you view the incident in the same way seeing how it really played out? If it is something you end up standing by, here you now have a real time perspective of what you have experienced that you can show people for review.

Another perspective I will add as well, is that if you are behind a video camera during an investigatiom, you are automatically assuming the observer role. I have mentioned so many times about the importance of observing during an investigation. You are seeing things as they are really happening and you aren't usually getting caught up in the hype of a moment as you are seeing things as they happen. When you take an observational role, it really is quite eye opening. You learn a lot about human behaviour and how people react to different situations.

A video camera should be used with the intent of what it actually is designed to do. A real time recording of what took place. Don't expect to go in using a video camera to catch shadow people or orbs. When you are filming an investigation, use it to actually document your investigation. Get shots of the whole room so you can see where everything is and where everyone is standing or sitting. You don't have to walk around doing a first person ghost adventures style video. If you can, have the camera set up on a tripod where it can fit everyone in the shot and the room as well. You won't get a sore arm from holding it all the time and now you are recording a proper account of what is happening in the room. Do a walk around prior to the investigation so you have a proper account of each room before the investigation. If you have an experience, talk about it then and there to the video camera and record your thoughts. When you talk about an event days after it happens, you tend to either leave information out or you embellish and make it sound bigger and better than it really was. You may even remember the events differently than how they actually happened. This way, you have your account straight after it happens. A video will aid you in so many more ways that just potentially capturing something paranormal.

So the next time you go on an investigation, think of ditching some of the other equipment and stick with your video camera. It really is one of the only things you need.